"Published as part of an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation program"--Series title page.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 405-415) and index.
Summary
Presents brief descriptions of selected scientific principles to illustrate the interplay between science, engineering and society. Case studies emphasize technological developments growing directly from scientific discoveries, such as telegraphy as a result of discoveries in electromagnetism.
Contents
Introduction -- 1. Science joins engineering -- I. Discovery -- 2. Telegraphy: The beginnings -- 3. Hydroelectric power: The irony of Los Angeles -- 4. The flying machine problem: The Wright stuff -- II. Innovation -- 5. Fossil fuels, steam power, and electricity: Los Angeles revisited -- 6. Gasoline: From waste product to fuel -- 7. Bridge design: Concrete aesthetics -- III. Risk -- 8. Vaccines: Good intentions are not enough -- 9. The greenhouse effect: Revolution involves risk -- 10. Atomic power: Difficulty in estimating cancer risks -- Conclusion -- 11. An intricate web.
